2006 BMW 330I Engine Problems

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 33I. The contact stated that while driving at 75 MPH, the contact noticed smoke coming into the interior of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. In addition, the contact noticed fire coming from underneath the hood. The contact exited the vehicle. The contact stated he had to leave the vehicle abandoned for about a month. The contact stated the vehicle had been towed to an impound lot. The vehicle was then towed to the contact’s residence. The contact stated that a certified independent mechanic diagnosed the failure as thermal damage due to the NHTSA recalls. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with an oil leak that caused the fire. The contact was informed of a recall NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V683000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V273000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The contact was advised to have the vehicle towed to the dealer for further investigation. The contact stated that the manufacturer initiated an investigation, and after the investigation was performed, the case was closed. The failure mileage was approximately 101,000.

NHTSA ID

11681317

Incident

Dec 18, 2024

Mileage

101,000 mi

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 330I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a burning odor was detected. The contact parked the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to restart. Prior to the failure, the dealer was made aware of the issue but confirmed that parts were not yet available and scheduled an appointment for April. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 149,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11509887

Incident

Feb 25, 2023

Mileage

149,000 mi

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 330I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the vehicle was emitting an abnormal oil burning odor. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11493984

Incident

Mar 2, 2022

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 330I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11487054

Incident

Sep 29, 2022

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 330I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that after turning off the vehicle, she noticed that the engine was extremely hot. The dealer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11481208

Incident

Mar 2, 2022

Mileage

88,000 mi

BMW has issued a recall with no resolution. My engine is making noises from the crankcase and no alternative has been offered at this moment. The dealer does not want to address the issue.

NHTSA ID

11478483

Incident

Aug 9, 2022

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 330I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11477666

Incident

Mar 2, 2022

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 330i. The contact stated while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled inadvertently and the engine exploded. The automatic transmission gearbox warning light illuminated. The contact immediately exited the vehicle. The contact stated that there was a significant amount of dark smoke and there was fire underneath the hood of the vehicle. The fire was extinguished independently. The contact did not sustain any injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact’s residence. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic where the engine, the valves and the engine compartment were replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine And Engine Cooling), which she associated with the failure. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.

NHTSA ID

11462662

Incident

Apr 2, 2022

Mileage

111,000 mi

The contact owned a 2006 BMW 330i. The contact stated while her boyfriend was driving 65 mph, he heard an abnormal noise coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The driver was able to park on the side of the road and exit before the vehicle was engulfed in flames. The driver saw the fire starting under the transmission. The driver stated no one was injured nor sought medical attention. The driver stated the fire department extinguished the fire. A fire report was filed. The driver stated the police did arrive at the location and filed a police report. The vehicle was not drivable. The insurance company deemed the vehicle a total loss. The contact towed the vehicle to the record yard. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 ( Engine and Engine Cooling) on 4/25/2022. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. Consumer stated her vehicle hit a donkey head on but none of the airbags went off.

NHTSA ID

11462176

Incident

Dec 6, 2021

Mileage

100,000 mi

MY 2006 BMW 330I CAUGHT FIRE IN MY DRIVEWAY 2.5HRS AFTER BEING DRIVIN. THE CAR DID NOT INDICATE ANY WARNING PRIOR TO THE FIRE.

NHTSA ID

11203444

Incident

Apr 18, 2019

Mileage

180,000 mi

LETTER FROM CONSUMER REGARDING PUBLIC SAFETY CONCERN THAT NEEDS TO BE IMMEDIATELY ADDRESSED (RECALL 17-V; POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION (PCV) VALVE HEATER). *AS

NHTSA ID

11189650

Incident

Feb 1, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330I. WHEN THE ENGINE WAS STARTED AND THE DEFROSTER WAS ACTIVATED, A POPPING NOISE WAS HEARD UNDER THE HOOD AND AN UNUSUAL ODOR EMITTED FROM THE VENTS. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. WITHIN SECONDS, FLAMES APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT AND A POLICE REPORT WERE FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRE SPREAD AND DAMAGED THE PLASTIC TAIL LIGHT COVER AND PAINT OF ANOTHER VEHICLE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE NEAR THE MOTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FROM THE SCENE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. AN UNKNOWN DEALER STATED THAT PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING). THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID

11089563

Incident

Apr 20, 2018

Mileage

100,000 mi

VERY LOUD NOISE (FAN NOISE) COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHEN THE CAR WAS STARTED FROM A COLD START. CAR IS DRIVE-ABLE BUT SEEMED TO LOSE SOME POWER. THE NOISE MAY OR MAY NOT COME BACK DURING THE NEXT START. A FEW SIMPLE SEARCHES ON GOOGLE AND FROM VARIOUS BMW FORUMS INDICATED THAT IT'S A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE 2006 BMW 330I E90 SEDANS AND PROBLEM SEEM TO BE THE FAULTY WATER PUMP AND FAULTY THERMOSTAT. AS THERE ARE NO WARNING LIGHT NOR ANY TELL SIGNS, THE CAR COULD GO FROM FULL PERFORMANCE ON THE FREEWAY TO LIMP MODE (FORCEFUL SLOW-DOWN MODE) IN THE MATTER OF A FEW SECONDS DUE TO OVERHEATING OF THE WATER PUMP, AND IT COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS. THE HIDDEN ERROR CODES MAY BE DISCOVERED WITH A VEHICLE SPECIFIC SCANNING TOOL BUT THERE IS NO WARNING LIGHT OR ERROR LIGHT WHATSOEVER TO WARN THE OWNER UNLESS THE CAR IS BROUGHT IN TO THE SHOP AND BEING SCANNED WITH THE PROPER SCANNING TOOL. BUT IF THERE IS NO WARNING/ERROR LIGHT, NO ONE WOULD HAVE THOUGHT TO BRING THE CAR IN FOR SCANNING.

NHTSA ID

11080738

Incident

Mar 5, 2018

Mileage

63,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330I. TWO MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL ODOR AND SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD. ALSO, THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE BECAME EXTREMELY WARM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WATER PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. * (RECALL RELATED INCIDENT) TS

NHTSA ID

11064817

Incident

Oct 2, 2017

Mileage

90,000 mi

BMW 3 SERIES MODELS 330I AND 325I YEAR 2006/2007 HAVE A PROBLEM WITH VALVE COVER AND HEAD BOLTS BREAKING OFF (BOLTS ARE MADE OF ALUMINUM), IN MY PERSONAL CASE, I WAS INSPECT MY CAR WHEN I WAS PARKED AND I FOUND A HEAD BOLT CLOSE TO THE OIL FILTER HOUSING BROKE OFF AND ALSO FOUND THE HEAD OF THE BOLT ON THE ENGINE BAY, CLOSE TO THE HOLE WHERE THE OIL IS BEING LEAKING. THE LEAK IS BAD AND I HAVE TO FILL IT UP EVERY WEEK. SOME OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD VALVE COVER BOLTS BROKEN OFF AND OIL LEAKING ON THE EXHAUST WICH COULD CAUSE FIRE AND ACCIDENTS. SEEMS LIKE THIS WAS A FACTORY DEFECT OVER TORQUING THE BOLTS OR LOW QUALITY ALUMINUM BOLTS. BMW SHOULD FIX THIS PROBLEM WITH ALL THIS MODELS AND YEARS. I HAVE READ ONLINE OF SEVERAL PEOPLE DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM AN EVEN PAYING BMW DEALERS LOTS OF MONEY WHEN THE PROBLEM BEGUN AT THE MANUFACTURING PLANT. SERIOUS ENGINE DAMAGED CAN OCCUR TOO IF OTHER BOLTS INSIDE THE VALVE COVER BREAK AND MESS OTHERS COMPONENTS UP INSIDE THE ENGINE. OTHER NEWER MODELS DON'T HAVE THIS PROBLEM AFTER THE BOLTS BEING UPGRADE TO A BETTER QUALITY ALUMINUM OR CHANGE THE TORQUE VALUE ON THEM. THANKS SO MUCH FOR RESEARCHING AND YOUR TIME.

NHTSA ID

11025095

Incident

Jun 2, 2017

WHILE DOING A VALVE COVER REPLACEMENT FOR BROKEN ALUMINIUM BOLTS, WHICH CAUSED A LEAK, DISCOVERED THAT THE THREE ALUMINIUM HEAD BOLTS ARE ALSO BROKEN. THE FOURTH OF THESE WAS FOUND TO BE BROKEN AND REPLACED. THIS KNOWN PROBLEM ON THIS MOTOR, THE N52 SIX CYLINDER 3.0 LITER MOTOR, CAUSED BY INADEQUATE BOLTS INSTALLED AT THE FACTORY. BMW UPDATED THE BOLTS AND TORQUE SPECS FOR THE MOTOR, BUT HAS NEVER FORMALLY (AT LEAST PUBLICLY) RECOGNIZED THE ISSUE. LOOKING ON MESSAGE BOARDS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM OCCURRING WITH THESE CARS THAT IS CAUSED BY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT RATHER THAN SIMPLY TIME AND AGE. THERE ARE MANY REPORTS OF THESE BOLTS BEING FOUND BROKEN AT 35 - 50K MILES.

NHTSA ID

11015356

Incident

Aug 6, 2017

Mileage

101,000 mi

BROKEN CYLINDER HEAD BOLT NEAR OIL FILTER HOSING FOUND THIS TO BE A VERY VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH (N52) ENGINES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10679023

Incident

Jan 26, 2015

Mileage

117,000 mi

ONE OF MY VALVE COVER BOLTS BROKE CAUSING THE OIL TO LEAK EVERYWHERE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10672040

Incident

Sep 29, 2013

Mileage

1,800,000 mi

ENGINE VALVE COVER HEAD BOLTS SNAPPED. QTY. 3. *TR

NHTSA ID

10643407

Incident

Oct 8, 2014

Mileage

160,000 mi

A BOLT BROKE ON THE VALVE COVER. IT'S NOT FROM COLD WEATHER OR LACK OF MAINTENANCE, IT'S CLEARLY A MANUFACTURER DEFAULT. WHEN ADVISED BY VALLEY BMW IN MODESTO I LEARNED THIS HAPPENS IN MOST OF THESE MODELS THAT YEAR. IT'S FROM OVER TORQUING THE BOLT OR A FAULTY BOLT OR SOMETHING ELSE BUT IT'S CLEARLY NOT THE FAULT OF THE CONSUMER. MINE BROKE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND IT CAUSES THE OIL TO LEAK ON THE EXHAUST. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND MUST BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. THIS ALSO HAPPENS ON THE OIL PAN! HTTP://MSAUCEDA1.BLOGSPOT.COM/2013/07/BMW-330I-2006-BROKEN-BOLTS-VALVE-COVER.HTML IT COSTS OVER $1000 TO FIX AND AFTER RESEARCHING FURTHER, I FOUND THIS IS HAPPENING A LOT AND MANY CONSUMERS AS WELL AS REPAIR SERVICES ARE FRUSTRATED AND UNDERSTANDABLY ANGRY. PLEASE ADDRESS THIS AND MAKE BMW RECALL THESE VEHICLES FOR REPAIR BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED! HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=5CO92U-WA94. *TR

NHTSA ID

10640895

Incident

Sep 26, 2014

Mileage

126,313 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE OIL FILTER HOUSING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BALL COVER GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,243.

NHTSA ID

10630738

Incident

Sep 2, 2014

Mileage

87,243 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE PERSISTED EVEN WHEN THE SEAT WAS NOT OCCUPIED. THE DEALER STATED THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 10/29/14*LJ UPDATED 4/23/15 *JS

NHTSA ID

10626671

Incident

Nov 1, 2013

Mileage

70,000 mi

BMW NA HAS ISSUED A RECALL TO ADDRESS BROKEN HEAD BOLTS IN A NUMBER OF 2010 MODELS, WHICH CAN RESULT IN ENGINE FAILURE. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH SEVERAL BMW OWNERS AND FOUND THAT THIS ISSUE EXTENDS BEYOND THEIR INITIAL RECALL INTO EARLIER MODELS, BUT BMW NA IS IGNORING THE ISSUE OUTRIGHT IN THE HOPES THAT IT WILL DISAPPEAR. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH BMW NA SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY HAVE GIVEN ME THE RUNAROUND FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AND PUT MAJOR SMOKESCREENS UP IN MY ATTEMPT FURTHER THE CONVERSATION/INVESTIGATION OF THE ISSUE. I'M REACHING OUT TO NHTSA BECAUSE I HAVE NO OTHER RECOURSE AND I KNOW THIS ISSUE IS NOT A LOCALIZED ISSUE WITH ONE YEAR MODEL, BUT SYMPTOMATIC OF SEVERAL YEARS AND MODELS. PLEASE HELP THE DRIVING PUBLIC BY ASSISTING ME IN ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE WITH BMW.

NHTSA ID

10583282

Incident

Feb 3, 2014

Mileage

73,000 mi

MY 2006 BMW 330I BEGAN LEAKING OIL. AFTER INSPECTION IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE BROKEN BOLTS. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN PROPERLY CARED FOR. IT HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND HAS BEEN SERVICED AND MAINTAINED. AFTER ONLINE REVIEW, THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED TO SEVERAL BMWS. THE OIL LEAKS ONTO BRAKES, BELTS, EXHAUST, ETC.... CAUSING A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD. THIS NEEDS TO BE ELEVATED TO A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10555313

Incident

Jun 1, 2013

Mileage

98,000 mi

THE CYLINDER BOLT BROKE AND BMW IS REFUSING TO REPAIR THE BROKEN BOLT UNDER AN ACTIVE WARRANTY. BMW IS AWARE THAT THE CYLINDER BOLD ON THESE MODELS HAS BEEN KNOWN TO FAIL AND IS NOW BEING MADE OUT OF A DIFFERENT MATERIAL IN NEWER MODELS. I REQUESTED THAT BMW PAY FOR THE COST OF THIS REPAIR BECAUSE WE ARE AWARE OF IT BEING AND ISSUE AND THEY REFUSED TO DO SO UNDER AN ACTIVE EXTENDED COVERAGE WARRANTY. IT IS A PART THAT SHOULD BE ON RECALL FOR MODELS USING THIS PARTICULAR ALUMINUM CYLINDER BOLT. I AM VERY FRUSTRATED TO HAVE PAID $4,000+ FOR AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT DOES NOT COVER A $4,260.50 REPAIR. PETER PAN BMW HAS BEEN VERY HELPFUL BUT BMW OF NORTH AMERICA AND ASSURANT WHO AUTHORIZES REPAIRS HAS BEEN UNRESPONSIVE AND DENIED REPAIR.

NHTSA ID

10406382

Incident

Jun 7, 2011

Mileage

97,793 mi